In-form AS Monaco retake second place

Goals from Denis Zakaria and Takumi Minamino helped AS Monaco to a crucial 2-0 win away to Stade Brestois yesterday at the Stade Franics-Le Blé. With the win, the Principality side gained a vital leg up in the race for the Champions League, leapfrogging their opponents ahead of Wednesday’s crucial match at home to LOSC Lille. The Monégasques had previously been in second place earlier in the season, but as the numbers show, while Paris Saint-Germain can possibly clinch the title in midweek, the race for second will continue to thrill.

Either LOSC or AS Monaco will finish the round in second place, but neither have led the chasing pack for the majority of the season. That honor goes to Brest and Monaco’s derby rivals, OGC Nice — each have been in second place at the end of a round 12 times this season, but as things currently stand, neither are favored to finish there. The match in hand between Lille and Monaco in midweek means Brest could be as many as five points behind the Prinicipality side if they can record a win, while Les Aiglons are currently eight points behind their rivals, on 47 points, with their own game in hand against Olympique de Marseille to come.

But it’s a side that has yet to finish a round in second, Lille, who could yet come good. LOSC’s good play against their rivals for the top two has kept them in good stead, and a win at the Stade Louis-II would see them move ahead of their hosts on goal difference. After drawing against and beating Stade Brestois in their two matches, Les Dogues will look to do the double over AS Monaco, a result which would propel them into second and allow them to move as many as eight points ahead of Nice in fifth place.